Portable document and form presentation device

ABSTRACT

A portable document and form presentation device which includes a weighted base, a vertically projecting standard, a hollow housing mounted at the upper end of the standard and having a slotted side wall. A document and form carrying plate or board is attached to the standard or to the housing by means of an elongated, flexible and resilient connecting member, and the plate or board is insertable in a slot provided in the housing for purposes of storage and protection from inclement weather when the board and the documents or forms carried thereby are not being used.

United States Patent [19] Harris 1 PORTABLE DOCUMENT AND FORM PRESENTATION DEVICE [76] Inventor: William A. Harris, 6007 NW. 32nd St., Bethany, Okla. 73008 [22] Filed: Jan. 2, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 430,026

[52] US. Cl. 312/100 [51] Int. Cl A47b 81/00 [58] Field of Search 312/100, 284, 234.1, 254;

[ July 22, 1975 Primary Examiner-Paul R. Gilliam Assistant Examiner-Doris L. Troutman Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Laney, Dougherty, l-lessin & Fish [57] ABSTRACT A portable document and form presentation device which includes a weighted base, a vertically projecting standard, a hollow housing mounted at the upper end of the standard and having a slotted side wall. A document and form carrying plate or board is attached to the standard or to the housing by means of an elongated, flexible and resilient connecting member, and the plate or board is insertable in a slot provided in the housing for purposes of storage and protection from inclement weather when the board and the documents or forms carried thereby are not being used.

9 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PORTABLE DOCUMENT AND FORM PRESENTATION DEVICE BACKGROUNDOFTI-IE INVENTION apparatus can be easily transported between inside and outside locations to prevent vandalism or theft. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, the invention relates to a portable service apparatus which provides ready accessibility to deposit slips and bank forms for utilization by motorists using drive-in banking facilities.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art Certain types of permanent standard mounted structures have heretofore been utilized for storing and making accessible certain forms and documents, such as deposit slips and the like, for use by motorists banking by the use of drive-in bank facilities. Such permanent structures, in remaining in an outside, exposed location at all times, are susceptible to vandalism and also cannot be adjusted to provide optimum positioning to accommodate different traffic patterns through the drive-in banking facility, or different types of vehicles used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The present invention provides a portable service structure for making readily accessible to motorists, while the motorist remains in an automobile, certain forms, documents and the like which may, in one usage of the apparatus, be used in a drive-in business facility.

The portable document and form presentation device of the present invention comprises a base, a vertical standard having one end secured to the base and a hollow housing mounted on the upper end of the standard and including a slotted side wall. A form carrying plate is connected to the standard or housing by an elongated flexible cord, and is dimensioned for insertion in the slot in the housing.

An object of the present invention is to provide a portable document and form presentation device which can be easily manually transported from one location to another, and which includes structure enabling a form and document carrying board or device to be extended to a position of use remote from the remaining structure of the device and, when not in use, to be stored in a protected location within a housing forming part of the device.

A further object of the invention is to provide a portable service structure for making readily accessible to a motorist while the motorist remains in the automobile, certain forms, documents and the like.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a portable document and form presentation device which is simple in structure, relatively economical to manufacture, and characterized in having a long and troublefree service life.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of the portable document and form presentation device of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing various structural elements which are assembled to form the portable document and form presentation device of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of 0 FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION The portable document and form presentation device of the invention includes a base assembly, designated generally by reference numeral 10, and, in the illustrated embodiment, comprising a container or receptacle 12 of relatively large diameter and having a snap engaging lid or top 14 secured to, and closing, the open upper end thereof. The lid 14 has a central aperture 16 formed therein for receiving a vertically extending standard as hereinafter described. At its opposite sides, the receptacle 12 carries a pair of bail securing brackets 18 by which a bail 'or handle 20 can be secured to the receptacle for purposes of portability as hereinafter described.

Extending through the aperture or hole 16 in the lid 14 is the lower end portion of a standard 22 which projects vertically from the receptacle 12. At its lower end, the standard 22 has secured thereto by means of a set screw or other suitable fastening device, an annular collar 23. A bolt 25 or other suitable fastening device is extended through a hole in the bottom 26 of the receptacle 12, and engages the lower side of the collar 23 to retain the standard in fixed, secured position in relation to the receptacle 12. It should be noted that the opening 16 in the lid 14 is dimensioned so that the lid may be snapped off the receptacle l2 and slid upwardly on the standard 22. This facilitates the filling of of the receptacle with a weighting material, such as sand, or the removal of such weighting material therefrom. At the upper end of the standard 22, a collar 34 is provided and is dimensioned to be slidingly positioned over the upper end of the standard. The collar 34 is held in place by means of a set screw 36 or other suitable fastening member.

The collar 34 has a hole 38 formed through the upper side thereof to receive a bolt 40 or other suitable fastening member. The bolt 40 is employed to fasten a generally hemispherical lower housing segment 42 to the upper side of the standard 22. The hemispherical housing segment 42 corresponds to a frustum of a sphere having a flat surface 42 positioned on the lower side thereof. The surface 43 is provided with a central hole 44 to permit the bolt 40 to be passed therethrough in order to secure the hemispherical housing segment to the upper collar 34. It will be noted in referring to the drawing that the hemispherical housing segment 42 has an elongated, oval shaped slot 50 formed therein, and that the slot 50 is lined with a liner 52 made of a suitable elastomeric material. The liner 52 is preferably of split ring cross-sectional configuration, similar in configuration to the configuration of a split ring gasket illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings and hereinafter described.

Removably secured over the open top of the hemispherical housing segment 42 is a second or upper hemispherical housing segment 54. The upper hemispherical housing segment 54 is also in the form of a frustum of a sphere, having a flat upper surface 56 fonned thereon. The housing segments 42 and 54 are joined to each other by means of a split ring annular gasket 58 which is pressed over and engages a radially extending annular or peripheral flange 60 formed on the upper housing segment 54, and an abutting, radially extending annular flange formed at the open upper end of the lower housing segment 42. The cross-sectional configuration of the annular split ring gasket 58 is depicted in FIG. 3 of the drawings. In the drawings it is shown as made of a clear, transparent synthetic resin.

A form carrying plate or board 64 is provided as a part of the apparatus of the invention, and may conveniently be in the form of a clipboard having a spring biased clip 66 secured adjacent one side of the plate or board in a conventional fashion. The deposit slips 68 or other forms or documents may be retained on the board or plate 64 by means of the clip 66. An elongated, flexible and resilient member 70 has one of its ends connected to the back side of the board or plate 64 and its other end secured to the upper collar 34 by means of the screw 36 which is extended through an eye 72 connected to one end of the elongated flexible member 70. It will be noted in referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings that the board or plate 64 is dimensioned so that it may be inserted into the housing through the slot 50 so that it, and the documents carried thereby, are protected from inclement weather, as well as from damaging contact with passing automobiles, dropping on the ground, or the like.

USE AND OPERATION OF THE DOCUMENT AND FORM PRESENTATION DEVICE OF THE INVENTION The portable document and form presentation device of the invention is utilized by initially placing a weighting material, such as sand or the like, in the interior of the receptacle 12. This provides a low center of gravity so that the device is not easily turned over or upset. Filling or emptying of the receptacle 12 can be accomplished by removal of the lid 14 which snaps on to the receptacle easily and which can be slid upwardly on the'standard 22.

When the receptacle 12 forming a part of the base has been filled with a weighting material, and the device is'ready for use, it is placed adjacent one or more traffic lanes by which vehicular traffic approaches, passes through, and leaves a drive-in banking facility. It can also be positioned for other usages besides usage in such drive-in banking operations. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the slot 50 formed in one side of the housing carried at the top of the standard 22 and made up by the housing segments 42 and 54 is oriented to face toward the side of a vehicle driving by the portable document and form presentation device enrcute to the teller window of the drive-in banking facility.

The board 64 carrying the deposit slips or documents 68 is normally stored by insertion lengthwise into the slot 50 formed in the lower housing segment 42. In t a location, the deposit slips are protected from inclement weather, and are protected against dragging on the ground or inadvertent banging or contact by passing cars. The motorist is able to reach out through the window of the automobile, take the board 64 and pull it to him by extendingthe flexible member 70. He can then make out his deposit slip ready for presentation to the teller. It should be pointed out that in a different embodiment of the invention, a second slot corresponding to the slot 50 is formed on the opposite side of the housing carried at the top of the standard 22 and will accommodate a second document carrying board so that automobiles may pass on opposite sides of the portable document and form presentation device and concurrently use the two boards and the deposit slips carried thereby.

Occasionally, pedestrians will use a drive-in banking facility, and i in such case, the plate or surface 56 formed at the upper side of the upper hemispherical housing segment 54 provides a supporting surface upon which the board 64 may be placed for the purpose of filling out the deposit slips.

After the time of closing of the drive-in banking facility, the portable document and form presentation device of the invention may be removed from an outside location to a position of safety and protection inside the adjacent drive-in banking facility. For removing the device in this fashion, the handle or bail 20 is gripped with one hand and the vertical standard 22 with the other hand and the device carried to the storage location. If desired. the weighting material carried in the receptacle 12 forming the base 10 may be dumped prior to such transport to lighten the total-weight of the device.

From the foregoing description of the invention, it will be perceived that the present invention provides an improved, very useful portable document and form presentation device which has relatively few parts which are easily fabricated and assembled. Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been herein illustrated and described, various changes in the illustrated and described structure can be effected without departure from the basic principles which underlie the invention. Changes and innovations of this type are therefore deemed to be circumscribed by the spirit and scope of the invention, except as the same may be necessarily limited by the appended claims or reasonable equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:

l. A portable document and form presentation device facilitating the intermittent use and alternate storage of forms and documents in an outdoor location comprising:

a base;

a standard projecting vertically from said base;

a hollow housing mounted on the upper end of said standard and having a slot in a side wall thereof, said housing comprising two hollow, hemispherical portions joined together along a substantially equatorial, horizontally extending plane;

a flat document and form carrying plate; and

an elongated flexible member connecting said plate to either said standard or housing.

2. A portable document and form presentation device as defined in claim 1 wherein said base contains a weighting material.

3. A portable document and form presentation device as defined in claim 1 wherein said slot is positioned below said equatorial plane whereby the document and form carrying plate, when stored in said slot, is protected from inclement weather.

4. A portable document and form presentation device as defined in claim 1 wherein the upper of said two hollow hemispherical portions has a flat surface at the upper side thereof to support said document and form carrying plate when said plate is placed flatly thereon.

5. A portable document and form presentation device as defined in claim 4 wherein said base contains a weighting material.

6. A portable document and form presentation device as defined in claim 5 wherein said base is a cylindrical receptacle having a bottom secured to the lower end of said standard.

7. A portable document and form presentation device as defined in claim 6 wherein said receptacle has an open upper end, and wherein said base is further characterized in including a lid detachably covering the open upper end of said receptacle, arid slidingly positioned around said standard.

8. A portable document and form presentation device comprising:

a base which includes:

a receptacle having an open upper end; and

a lid detachably covering the open upper end of said receptacle and having a standard-receiving opening in the center thereof;

a standard having an end portion projecting into said receptacle and secured to the bottom of said recep tacle, said standard projecting vertically from said receptacle and extending through the opening in the center of said lid, whereby said lid is slidably positioned around said standard;

weighting material disposed in said receptacle and removable therefrom when said lid is removed from said receptacle and slidingly moved up said standard;

a hollow housing mounted on the upper end of said standard and having a slot in a side wall thereof;

a flat document and form carrying plate dimensioned for insertion in said slot; and

an elongated flexible member connecting said plate to either said standard or housing.

9. A portable document and form presentation device comprising:

a hollow base of cylindrical configuration having an open upper end;

a handle connected to said base to facilitate transport of the device;

a weighting material removably contained in said hollow base;

a standard projecting vertically from said base and having a lower end secured to the bottom of said receptacle;

a hollow housing mounted on the upper end of said standard and having a slot in a side wall thereof;

a flat document and form carrying plate dimensioned for insertion in said'slot; and

an elongated flexible member connecting said plate to either said standard or housing. 

1. A portable document and form presentation device facilitating the intermittent use and alternate storage of forms and documents in an outdoor location comprising: a base; a standard projecting vertically from said base; a hollow housing mounted on the upper end of said standard and having a slot in a side wall thereof, said housing comprising two hollow, hemispherical portions joined together along a substantially equatorial, horizontally extending plane; a flat document and form carrying plate; and an elongated flexible member connecting said plate to either said standard or housing.
 2. A portable document and form presentation device as defined in claim 1 wherein said base contains a weighting material.
 3. A portable document and form presentation device as defined in claim 1 wherein said slot is positioned below said equatorial plane whereby the document and form carrying plate, when stored in said slot, is protected from inclement weather.
 4. A portable document and form presentation device as defined in claim 1 wherein the upper of said two hollow hemispherical portions has a flat surface at the upper side thereof to support said document and form carrying plate when said plate is placed flatly thereon.
 5. A portable document and form presentation device as defined in claim 4 wherein said base contains a weighting material.
 6. A portable document and form presentation device as defined in claim 5 wherein said base is a cylindrical receptacle having a bottom secured to the lower end of said standard.
 7. A portable document and form presentation device as defined in claim 6 wherein said receptacle has an open upper end, and wherein said base is further characterized in including a lid detachably covering the open upper end of said receptacle, and slidingly positioned around said standard.
 8. A portable document and form presentation device comprising: a base which includes: a receptacle having an open upper end; and a lid detachably covering the open upper end of said receptacle and having a standard-receiving opening in the center thereof; a standard having an end portion projecting into said receptacle and secured to the bottom of said receptacle, said standard projecting vertically from said receptacle and extending through the opening in the center of said lid, whereby said lid is slidably positioned around said standard; weighting material disposed in said receptacle and removable therefrom when said lid is removed from said receptacle and slidingly moved up said standard; a hollow housing mounted on the upper end of said standard and having a slot in a side wall thereof; a flat document and form carrying plate dimensioned for insertion in said slot; and an elongated flexible member connecting said plate to either said standard or housing.
 9. A portable document and form presentation device comprising: a hollow base of cylindrical configuration having an open upper end; a handle connected to said base to facilitate transport of the device; a weighting material removably contained in said hollow base; a standard projecting vertically from said base and having a lower end secured to the bottom of said receptacle; a hollow housing mounted on the upper end of said standard and having a slot in a side wall thereof; a flat document and form carrying plate dimensioned for insertion in said slot; and an elongated flexible member connecting said plate to either said standard or housing. 